Irish/Welsh Mythology?

[What's that up your nose?]

In my saga/meta-series that I've been writing for ages, I tended to use Japanese mythology, until more recently I've become very patriotic and looked into the myths of the UK and Ireland. I was reading a book of Celtic myths, and realized that Ireland has a huge range of myths and legends that are great inspiration for writing and art. I can't find that much from the UK apart from a few Cornish giants. Giants of course have been used in Harry Potter, and I consider them to be boring.
Banshees are great. I'm currently writing a part where a banshee is included. They haven't been used in writing that much, but are very interesting.
So I think anyone else stuck for ideas, or feeling that their characters are cliched, look into Ireland's rich mythology, and you'll find loads of great stuff.
Caitlin

[Neurolanis]

I have a growing love for myth also. Forgive me, but what mythologies does the UK have? I know England has none. Banshees and such classify as folklore, not myth. I imagine Scotland has myths, must have.

By the way, what image is your avatar depicting?

[Spiderkeg]

England doesn't have any myths? What about King Arthur? Merlin? Robin Hood?

Sure, these subjects are shrouded in both mystery and fact, but a lot of evidence suggests that neither subjects really existed. There is also the small minor problem that both of these subjects have also been done to death.

Of your research, what does it say Banshees are?

I'm very partial to Greek mythology because they were so inventive, and really tried to explain every facet of life through observation and creative storytelling. Lots of material to weed through there.

I wouldn't worry to much about Harry Potter. Many aspects to the whole series are just borrowed from already existing stories. The HP series is just successful in telling these stories in a new and exciting way. I'll give credit to Rowling for being clever in merging all these tales and aspects together, though she isn't the finest writer out there. Write whatever you want and don't worry about the HP series.

[Neurolanis]

King Arthur, Merlin and Robin Hood are legends, not myths. There are historians who believe they actually existed. I agree with them.

Banshees are folk tale creatures. Folk stories are about the unconscious self, some have lessons for children and others are simply just imaginative. Myths are "fairy tales for adults", as the late mythologist Joseph Campbell would say. They're written with a symbolic language to explain to us the errors of our ways.

[The Knights of the Round Table and the characters within those stories were largely created -- or embellished -- by writers outside of England, Scottish I believe, and a French author established the late version of which we are all familiar.]

[Spiderkeg]

Well I know what a Banshee is, a wailing ghost, but in your research what details did you discover of what they were?

I've heard lots of tales stating that a Banshee is someone who is cursed, or someone looking for a lost love, or Leprechauns gone bad, etc.

What have you discovered?

[cleasterwood]

I voted Greek. For me, Greek myth is extremely involved and there are many, many stories you can spring off from. Granted Celtic mythology is also very involved, but it's never been quite up my alley. If you were to say Viking myth, now that I could really sink my teeth into!
My own personal preference is Egyptian though. There aren't nearly enough Egyptian stories out there that aren't crowded with walking dead guys, mummies. So I set out to do something about it.

Myth, folklore, and legends all have a bit of truth to them. One may even say that the gods of old were merely men who were raised to god-like status because of their deeds or misdeeds. There isn't much of a distinction, in my opinion.

HP, don't even worry yourself. Your story will still be original. To be honest, I haven't read any of the HP books but I have watched the movies. Something just won't let me sit through a book as long as the HP ones where everything is centered around young adults. I prefer more adult geared stories where a little bedroom action can come at me at any moment. Even funnier, I won't read Romance novels either. Why? Because you expect the plot to get good, but usually it's just a BS plot with BS characters geared toward women who don't have anything better to do with their time. I, for one, am a woman who loves adventure, action, a touch of romance, and lots of complicated plot lines. To me, that's better than who did who, what your ex did to your sister, and the other crap you read about in Romance novels. I guess the whole reason I don't do romances is because I've got a romantic husband and don't need to be filled up on someone else's torrid love affairs.

Sorry for the off-subject babble.
Lynn

[Magus]

My two favorite Mythologies are Greek and Norwegian. I love the myth of the cursed evil ring and the red dragon in Norwegian Mythology, also that of the end of the world (those myths are always fun). I also loved the myth where the Kingdoms of the Gods are formed (switching now to Greek) and several others hold a favorite niche in my mind.

[capt_tightpants]

To me Greek myths seem a little, childish, if I had to pick a word. There are some good ones I'll admit, but they also seem overdone.
Japanese mythology, wile not as overdone, at least to me, also seem kind of, well, the same as Greek myths.
I suppose what I really like about the Euoropean mythology, not just the UK/Irish stuff, is that it seems darker. I find Grendel and Baal more exciting than Hades and the Great Dragon of the Sky.
I wouldn't limit myself to just UK/Ireland.
That's my opinion.
(I'm sorry if I offended anyone by calling Greek and Japanese mythology childish, I just can't find the right word.)

[Magus]

Beowulf is not mythology. It's a 10,000 epic Scandinavian poem chronicling, if not exaggerating, the life of of a historical King.

[capt_tightpants]

In my defense I would only like to say that, while you are correct, I was just making the jump from myth to legend to legendary history.

And Horace's got nothing on Beowulf.

[Spiderkeg]

Is there proof that Beowulf is based on a real living person? I didn't think there was any definite proof or documentation really confirming that the poem was based on anything but someone's imagination.

I think it's possible that the poem might be based on a myth.

[Magus]

I saw a documentary on this and my English teacher supports it as well. There is proof that there may have been a Scandinavian King to whom Beowulf is based upon. In Britain it There was a great funeral ship of a king who died in battle discovered, who's armor was adorned with the images of a great dragon and whose treasures and possessions indicated great battles with demons and the like. He is believed to be the historical Beowulf by manor scholars and experts; although there's no definitive proof what they do have I find rather convincing.